Austria is an alpine country, so it is perfect for ferrata. You can choose between hundreds of secured routes of all difficulties.
Generally speaking, Austria is dominated by the more sporty ferratas, which often require a bit of strength to climb, but don't worry, there are also trails in the Bad Gastein area, on the Schlossalm mountain, for your first introduction to this adrenaline sport.
The Feratta (the German name Klettersteig is also common) is a secured route that allows you to safely climb even the more difficult parts of the climb thanks to a fixed belay.
A belay rope, reliably anchored to the solid rock at regular intervals, is used to suspend a carabiner for self-belay. The continuous belay rope is often used as a handrail on routes with the lowest difficulty and is also used, for example, on access routes to mountain huts.
Other artificial aids include ladders, chains, handrails, stepladders, footbridges and pins. They serve as stepping stones and holds in places where the natural terrain does not provide such opportunities. Less experienced climbers can thus safely climb even extremely perpendicular to overhanging sections that would be unreachable for them in a traditional climbing approach.
The difficulty category of the ferrata is determined by the difficulty of the most difficult place, its length and the total length of the route:
A - Secured, clearly guided hiking routes and very easy secured routes. Artificial belaying in the form of wire ropes, chains or handrails is mainly just to increase the feeling of security in exposed terrain, but from a technical point of view it is not necessary
B - Moderately steep rocky terrain. Artificial belaying in the form of wire ropes, handrails, pitons and ladders are used directly to advance. Some passages are already strenuous and require strength.
C - Steep rock terrain. Artificial belays (steel ropes, picks, pegs, ladders) cover most of the total length of the route and may be less accessible to shorter figures. Frequent vertical walls with stretched steel rope for belaying. Secured sections already require some arm strength.
D - Very steep rocky terrain, vertical sections in places, even overhanging in places. Artificial belaying is mostly done with steel ropes and occasionally with artificial stupas (crampons, pins). It is assumed that the climber is trained and in excellent condition. It is a good idea to use shoes with soles similar to climbing shoes.
E - In places extremely exposed routes, led in perpendicular rock terrain with a minimum of natural stupas. Artificial belaying is mostly done only with steel ropes and very few artificial stupas (crampons, pegs). The most difficult places require the use of climbing equipment or great strength in the arms. These belayed routes are already of an explicitly sporting character. They can only be attempted by very experienced hikers and mountaineers.These ferratas are not intended to make the climber's journey easier, but rather to seek out difficulties.
F - On the ferratas in Austria, there are also sections of difficulty "F". Usually this is a not very long section that can be avoided by taking a route that matches the rest of the ferrata's difficulty. These sections are usually up to 50 m long. It is a path in an overhang where only a belay steel rope is stretched. The route has no other aids such as spikes or steps. The instructors from Ferrataclimbing.eu recommend it only to physically fit individuals who are not overweight, have strength in their arms and have mastered the climbing technique.
There are six ferratas of varying difficulty on the Schlossalm. You can get there by cable car from Bad Hofgastein.
- Practice ferrata
An assured route for a first introduction to belay ropes, but also a difficult option for professionals
Difficulty: B/C/D/E
Differences in altitude: 30 m
Length: 40m
Approach: 15 min
Secured route: 20 min
Descent: 15 min
Starting point: "Kleine Scharte" cable car stop
- Cute little training ferrata
Difficulty: B/C
Differences in altitude: 95 m
Length: 135 m
Access: 10 min
Secured route: 20 -30 min
Descent: 15 min
Starting point: "Kleine Scharte" cable car stop
- Ferrata "Weitmoser"
A varied assured route for the experienced
Difficulty: B/C
Differences in altitude: 150 m
Length: 330m
Access: 20 min
Secured route: 1 hour
Descent: 40 min
Starting point: "Kleine Scharte" cable car stop
- Ferrata "Mauskarspitze"
Short, moderately difficult assured route
Difficulty: B/C
Differences in altitude: 130 m
Length: 250 m
Access: 45 min
Secured route: 50 min
Descent: 45 min
Starting point: "Kleine Scharte" cable car stop
- Ferrata "Hirschinger"
Fun and action of rope bridges and Flying Fox!
Difficulty: B/C bis D/E
Differences in altitude: 125 m
Length: 300m
Access: 15 min
1 hour
Descent: 15 min
Starting point: "Kleine Scharte" cable car stop
- One of the most difficult ferrata in the Gastein Valley
Difficulty: D/E
Differences in altitude: 200 m
Length: 400 m
Access: 30 min
Secured route: 1 ½ hours
Descent: 30 min
Starting point: "Kleine Scharte" cable car stop